This paper relates the contemporary educational reforms in Sri Lanka to the processes of globalisation. The international monetary organisations such as the IMF and the World Bank and the regional organisations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) play a dominant role in influencing the debt-receiving countries when it comes to their educational practice. The intensity of the influence of these organisations can vary depending on the existing educational policy of the aid receiving countries. This paper, after a brief introduction on globalisation, examines its effects on the education policy in Sri Lanka with a special emphasis on the current language policy. Equity in education is usually advocated at primary level based on the universal primary education concept so highly upheld by the World Bank. However, the present high human development indicators are undoubtedly due to Sri Lanka's free education policy in native languages. The paper concludes stressing the importance to retain the national education policy as a means of empowerment and liberation of its masses and creating stronger ethnic harmony.

This was the first round of an audit to analyze how closely the National
Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on early identification and
management of chronic kidney disease in adults is adhered to by a medical ward in
the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. One hundred consecutive patients who were not
diagnosed to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) but had risk factors for future
development of CKD were selected from the male and female wards of the University
Medical Unit, National Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Data were collected by
interviewing patients and from the case notes, and entered on a proforma designed
based on the recommendations outlined in the NICE guidelines on the prevention of
CKD. Target blood pressure was achieved in 66% (n=66). Urine ward test was
performed only in 58% of the patients, and this was positive for protein in 15
patients. Investigations to exclude urinary tract infection were performed in
12%. Measurement of serum creatinine was carried out in 40%, but estimated
glomerular filtration rate, albumin:creatinine ratio and protein:creatinine ratio
were not carried out in any of the patients. Forty percent of the patients were
educated by ward staff regarding CKD, 22% on risk factor modification, 23%
regarding renal replacement therapy, 34% regarding dietary modifications and 67% 
regarding importance of exercise. Twenty-six percent of the patients were not
educated on any of the above components. ACEI, ARB and statins were prescribed
only in 47%, 9% and 64%, respectively. Although follow-up was indicated in all
these patients, it was arranged only in 17%. The concurrence with NICE guidelines
on CKD prevention was found to be poor. Strategies for improvement are discussed.